The Shocking moment Gary Lineker Reveals His Theory on Why Tottenham player was Benched Against Bournemouth
Tottenham Hotspur may have felt relieved to come away with a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on Sunday, as the result arguably flattered Ange Postecoglou’s side. Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth were aggressive in their press and caused Spurs all kinds of problems, particularly in defense, where Tottenham struggled to play out from the back.
Despite securing a point, questions are mounting over Postecoglou’s team selection, with one major talking point being James Maddison’s continued absence from the starting lineup. The playmaker, who was instrumental in Tottenham’s early-season form, was once again left on the bench, only making his entrance in the 61st minute.
Gary Lineker Raises Questions About a Potential Maddison-Postecoglou Fallout
Postecoglou’s tactical setup against Bournemouth raised plenty of eyebrows. Instead of utilizing a traditional No. 10, the Australian manager opted for a more flat midfield three of Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Yves Bissouma, leaving Maddison without a natural spot in the lineup.
Cristian Romero, making his return from injury, also looked rusty and error-prone, misplacing several passes in the first half. Meanwhile, Spurs’ insistence on playing out from the back, even under intense pressure, left them vulnerable. Jamie Redknapp was visibly frustrated, urging Tottenham to adjust their approach by playing more direct football.
But perhaps the biggest mystery was Maddison’s exclusion from the starting XI. Given his creative ability and impact on games, Gary Lineker speculated whether there had been a rift between the midfielder and Postecoglou. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker openly questioned whether there was more going on behind the scenes.
“Maddison, late coming off the bench again. And when he comes on, he always looks the part and plays some really good football,” Lineker observed. “I’m at a bit of a loss as to what’s happened there this season. I wonder whether there’s been a bit of a fallout or something…”
Shearer pressed Richards for any inside information, asking, “What have you heard, Micah?” to which Richards replied, “Nope, I’ve not heard anything from Maddison. I think they’ve got the game in Europe, haven’t they?”
Lineker then conceded, “Maybe, maybe he’s thinking of that.”
Maddison’s Impressive Numbers Suggest He Should Be Playing More
While it’s possible that Postecoglou was resting Maddison ahead of Tottenham’s crucial Europa League second leg against AZ Alkmaar, it still seems unusual that a player of his caliber is being benched so frequently.
Even Tottenham’s own Dejan Kulusevski recently called for Maddison to play more regularly, further highlighting how highly he is valued within the squad. Maddison’s statistics this season remain impressive compared to his teammates, reinforcing the argument that his absence is more tactical than performance-based.
Adding to the intrigue, new signing Mathys Tel has already been impressed with Maddison’s quality, making it even more puzzling that Postecoglou continues to overlook him.
What’s Next for Maddison?
At the start of the season, Maddison was a key figure in Tottenham’s attack, helping inspire a brief title charge. Now, his sporadic game time is becoming a growing concern, not just among fans but within the media as well.
If Maddison remains out of the starting lineup in Spurs’ upcoming matches, it may indicate a deeper tactical shift from Postecoglou—or perhaps, as Lineker suggested, an undisclosed issue between the player and manager. Either way, Spurs fans will be eager to see their creative playmaker back in the XI, especially as the club fights to salvage their season.
